lcionline Chapter 241 Return
Chapter 241 Return
When Xu Sheng took Nian Yao and Qin Jiu down the mountain, Jin Hu and his brothers offered to see them off.
Xu Sheng raised his hand to stop him: "General Jin, although I am the Prince of Nanyue, I have never cared about such formalities. From now on, we are family, so General Jin doesn't need to stand on ceremony. Just be more relaxed."
However, I have a request. General Jin, Yanshan and Dongyang are separated by a river. I would like to trouble you to strengthen military training recently and keep a close watch on the other side to prevent Dongyang from making any rash moves.
Jin Hu replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Xu Sheng waved to his brothers: "Brothers, there's no need to see me off. Until we meet again."
Jin Hu and his brothers naturally said in unison, "Until we meet again."
Xu Sheng leisurely descended the mountain under their watchful eyes, and Nian Yao remained silent the entire way.
As they approached the foot of the mountain and the ship was in front of them, Xu Shengxian couldn't hold back any longer: "Chief Xue, are you amazed by my intelligence, wisdom, martial prowess, strategic brilliance, and divine military genius?"
Nianyao glanced at him and lazily replied, "Your Highness is right."
Xu Sheng slowed his pace slightly: "I was able to persuade Jin Hu thanks to Chief Xue's flawless cooperation. To be honest, Chief Xue's performance was truly impressive. It doesn't matter how a person is normally, as long as they can be relied on in critical moments."
"Flawless?" Nianyao said, "I didn't do this for you."
Xu Sheng asked in surprise, "Not for me? Then who are you doing this for?"
Nianyao paused in her tracks: "What do you mean? Would I do this for you?"
Xu Sheng appeared very sincere: "Why can't you do it for me? Aren't I better than Luo An?"
Nianyao picked at her ear: "What do you mean? What does Luo An have to do with you?"
Xu Sheng turned and blocked her way: "We are engaged. If you come with me, you will be the empress when I become emperor. Isn't that better than being a medical apprentice with Luo An?"
Nianyao walked past him and said, "Wishful thinking, nonsense..."
Xu Sheng said, "I'm serious."
Nianyao, unable to bear it any longer, stopped, intending to unleash a torrent of abuse on him. Xu Sheng, just a step behind her, bumped right into her.
Xu Sheng's impact was quite forceful; Nian Yao couldn't maintain her balance on the way down the mountain and fell forward. Xu Sheng grabbed her arm, and Nian Yao spun around, landing directly in Xu Sheng's arms, their breaths mingling.
Nianyao was shocked and kicked him. Xu Sheng loosened his grip, bent over slightly, and looked as if he was in pain.
Nianyao took three steps back, barely managing to steady herself, and then cursed, "Are you sick? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror? A crazy person like you will never be able to find a wife in your entire life."
"Wandering the world, don't you know that you shouldn't mess with your friend's wife? I'm warning you, if you touch me again, I'll fight you to the death. A lustful scoundrel like you, trying to compare yourself to Luo An? Bah, bah, bah, bah..."
Nianyao spat repeatedly, rushed to the shore, and jumped onto the ship. The soldiers all kept their eyes down, pretending not to hear.
Xu Sheng boarded the boat and remarked, "Even a shrew's cursing pales in comparison to Chief Xue's. Let's abstain from money and set off."
The war drums sounded, the bugles blared, banners fluttered on the ships, and the soldiers shouted in unison: "Jin Hu surrenders to Ming, Yanshan returns to Yue, the king raises an army, we will achieve great deeds... Jin Hu surrenders to Ming, Yanshan returns to Yue, the king raises an army, we will achieve great deeds..."
The sound was deafening, startling birds into flight and fish into leaping. Xu Sheng was trying to shatter Jin Hu's last shred of hesitation and completely cut off his escape route.
The matter went smoothly, and the ship sailed back to Jiangxin Island with favorable winds. Two people on the dock eagerly awaited their arrival: one was Zhou Yan, and the other was surprisingly Xue Yunting.
Nianyao jumped off the ship first and stood in front of Xue Yunting: "What are you doing here?"
Xue Yunting remained as composed as ever: "Sister, I'll go back with you."
Xu Sheng's tone was neither warm nor cold: "I ordered you to guard Furong City, yet you left on your own. You've got some nerve."
Xue Yunting said, "Your Highness, as you predicted, Xiling has fought his way out and fled to the cold western region. He is not expected to return in the near future."
Xu Sheng seemed completely unconcerned: "I know your personality, and I can't persuade you otherwise. As long as you don't regret the decision you made."
Xue Yunting bowed slightly: "Yes."
Nianyao said to Zhou Yan, "Uncle Zhou, since Yunting has decided to return to Chongming Island, let's not delay any longer and let's go now."
Zhou Yan looked at Xu Sheng, who said, "Since you're leaving, of course we won't stop you. Chief Xue, please give my regards to Luo An."
Nianyao snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
When the three returned to Chongming Island, they saw two people standing on the dock while on the speedboat. As the boat drew closer, they could see them more clearly, and the two people turned out to be Luo An and Duan Mingzhu.
Duan Mingzhu placed her hand on her stomach, while Luo An stood beside her holding an umbrella for her. Before the boat even docked, Xue Yunting leaped and flew directly to stand in front of Duan Mingzhu.
Duan Mingzhu tilted her head slightly to look at him, her expression seemingly calm: there was neither the joy of a long-awaited reunion nor the resentment of waiting for something that had not come for so long.
Xue Yunting's excitement and anticipation gradually turned into bewilderment under Duan Mingzhu's gaze: What couple reunites like this? But he didn't know what to do.
Luo An handed the umbrella to Xue Yunting, who took it woodenly. Luo An walked past Xue Yunting, took Nian Yao's hand, and left. Qin Jiu had already disappeared without a trace, having slipped away somewhere.
Xue Yunting held the umbrella tightly, trying to keep Duan Mingzhu in the shade. He opened his mouth but found his words a bit clumsy: "The sun is too strong, aren't you hot?"
Why isn't it hot? Sweat dripped down my cheeks and chin, my protruding belly caught the sweat, and my clothes were soaked.
Duan Mingzhu stared unblinkingly, tears slowly welling in her eyes, her expression becoming extremely aggrieved. She slowly lowered her head, sweat and tears mingling as they dripped onto her stomach, making her feel hot and restless.
Xue Yunting said softly, "It's hot here, shall we go back to our room?"
Duan Mingzhu nodded slightly, and only then did Xue Yunting dare to take her hand. However, Duan Mingzhu stood still, and Xue Yunting did not dare to exert any force, looking at her questioningly.
Duan Mingzhu didn't speak or look at him; she just kept her head down and didn't move.
Xue Yunting thought for a moment: "How about I carry you... I'll carry you back?"
Duan Mingzhu nodded slightly, and Xue Yunting handed her the umbrella: "Then you hold the umbrella?"
Duan Mingzhu took the umbrella, and Xue Yunting carried her in his arms as they walked back.
Duan Mingzhu was the most delicate girl he had ever seen, and Xue Yunting unconsciously softened his voice.
Even though Xue Yunting reminded himself countless times that she wasn't as weak as she seemed, all those reminders vanished the moment he saw her.
Xue Yunting carried Duan Mingzhu through Xianzhou Garden to the backyard. Liang Qingcheng was enjoying the cool air in the courtyard with someone, and they all looked over when they saw them.
The child asked, "Mom, Auntie is so big, why does she still need to be carried?"
Duan Mingzhu casually tossed the umbrella aside, the beautiful oil-paper umbrella fluttering in the wind. Just as she was about to pick it up, Liang Qingcheng stopped her.
Xue Yunting kicked open the Yaochi gate and placed Duan Mingzhu on the bed. Just as he was about to let go, Duan Mingzhu wrapped her arms around his neck, preventing him from getting up.